The 10 Roles Of A Pastor: Bishop Pride Sibiya

Many years ago a spiritual son of mine curved a wood artefact for me. It had sheep grazing in the background. 


When I asked the significance, he answered that when he saw me he saw a shepherd of sheep. The word pastor comes from the Greek word poimen which means 'shepherd'. A shepherd is, simply, one who tends the flock on behalf of the owner. In the same manner, a pastor is a person who tends the church on behalf of the owner of the Church, God.

A pastor is God's set man or woman, a minister married to the church, to lead the church of God by example into a covenant relationship with God.

Written By Bishop Pride Sibiya
A local pastor is the most important person and most senior leader in the congregation. He/she is submitted to the District Pastor and is accountable to such as the same is also accountable to the Provincial Overseer and so on. The pastor is the point-man or woman who represents God and the Apostolic leadership, General Overseer, President or Bishop of the ministry to the local church. He is the chief-Ambassador. He/ she is answerable for the good or whims at the assembly.

They are not on the assembly on their own agenda or mission but are representatives of the greater vision, though the pastor must have a personal clear-cut vision of where he is taking the people he leads, in the same great vision. Their submission helps the anointing and grace upon the apostolic head to flow to the congregation. He/she gets instructions from his superiors and gives feedbacks and reports to them as well.

1. Preaching: This is an art designed by God to communicate God's Word to people. It is not just public speaking because it is, or rather, should be done under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. One of the Hebrew terms which explain preaching is kerysso. It means to proclaim as a keryx or herald, to speak with gravity and authority as one sent. It describes, making a loud noise that gets people's attention, in a broad sense: Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).

2. Teaching: It is the clear exposition, primarily of the Word of God and also of other issues to do with all aspects of life. The pastor is the custodian of the true doctrine of Christ and must make sure it is both protected and propagated: " " 1 Timothy 1:3 The pastoral epistles clearly show that it is the pastors' responsibility to teach and that he must be an able teacher 1Timothy 3:2 "A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach." 2 Timothy 2:24 "And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient."
The 10 Roles Of A Pastor: Bishop Pride Sibiya

3. Evangelism and Discipleship: Even though a pastor is responsible for tending the flock, the Chief Shepherd Himself taught us that a good shepherd will leave the 99 sheep and go out to search for the lost one: "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? (Matthew 18:12). The Apostle Paul, writing to all pastors through writing to the young pastor who was not an evangelist says: "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).

The pastor should be concerned about the lost souls and take a leading initiative to go out and seek the lost. The pastor must be innovative and also know that apart from the traditional and conventional ways there are now modern ways of evangelist via all forms of media e.g films, social media, live broadcasts, premiers, handouts, television, radio, print media and so on.

4. Administration: In the proper building of the ministry, the administration is one of the most important roles of a pastor. The pastor may have a professional administrator or an administrative assistant pastor but must oversee the overall administration.

It is the efficient management, the organizing, the giving direction of and the governing, of the resources that God has given us in life and in ministry in order to successfully accomplish our God-given mandate. There is a need for planning and taking good care of the resources that we already have like moveable and non-moveable properties, human and financial resources. while a pastor shouldn't handle church money, they should manage it. 

It is rather unfortunate that most leaders who consider themselves spiritual think that administration and planning is proof of not depending on God. However, shepherding without managing will cause the church to fail. Failing to plan is planning to fail! (P Sibiya, His Glory Our Vision, p 46). Many people think that the ministry is only about preaching and demonstration of God's power. This works in the short-term but in the long run, the organization will be sure to fail.

5. Pastoral Visitations: For me, visitations are mainly made for people already in the church who may be strong or not, have a problem or not Follow-ups are then specifically meant for the harvest or coverts from evangelism efforts or for backslidden Christians and church members. pastoral visits are very important for both you and the members. They help the pastor to know his/her people closely, to take care of the sick, bereaved, aged, lonely, etc, to reach out in evangelism to other family members of your church members and the like. These two usually lead to great church growth.

6. Counselling: Some years ago a musician sang, "don't talk just kiss." That obviously would fall under the spirit of rape. In counselling we prefer, "don't just talk, listen!" In counselling, listening is much more important than talking. Talking too much offers solutions to people and this creates a dependency syndrome.

Our duty is not to create our zombies, which is a major temptation but to take people to maturity that they may learn on to depend on us but on God and on the capabilities put by God inside of them to solve their own problems. One of the most important-never goes about talking about people's issues.

People will need counsel in many areas of life include after going through sessions with your elders after they err. You may also be called upon to be part of the team people appeal to after judgment by your elders' board.

7. Being there for your members in needy times. "A pastor in need is a pastor indeed! A friend in need is a friend indeed, so say the English." Young as I was from a Bible school with all the zeal and knowledge, having passed with high marks, I endeavoured to conquer the world with my "data", until I realized people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. I have realized that a pastor in need is a pastor indeed.

People are not objects but emotional beings who respond with great joy to people who genuinely love them. This was the Jesus model. I like the words of Charles Simpson in his book, The Challenge to Care. He says, "As I studied the gospels, it became quite clear that Jesus was contending with an impersonal view of pastoral care. The problem in Israel was not a lack of religious leaders... Israel had many rabbis, but few shepherds.

They seemed better suited to Roman rule than to the government of God...The Jewish system was not evil: it was God-ordained. But any system without the Spirit becomes uncaring. When I am sick, in court, even when I have a party, I need my pastor close.

8. Sacraments, Rituals and Government Responsibilities: Rites of baptism, Holy Communion and marrying/wedding people must be done by the pastor. Other duties like doing engagement ceremonies, anointing the sick, rites of burying the dead must be done by the pastor primarily or when busy he can also delegate to the elders.

9. Grooming and Training: The pastor is responsible for the grooming and training his followers to become successful in all aspects. A pastor must know that his/her way of life and the consistent word is actually moulding people to become what he/she is and says. Your deeds and words are never taken lightly. A pastor should, therefore, be very deliberate in his work because he/she is constantly making the flock, either, into success stories of failures: "And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

10. Secular Government Duties: These include praying for the nation's leadership, the nation, being a commissioner of oaths, marriage officer, and officiating at state functions like giving an opening prayer, speech, et.al.


Leading by Example: Summary: In short, the work of the minister is to lead by example. The shepherd does not lead from behind but from the front. The pastor is not the only one to do the work of the ministry but is like a coach. It must be engrained in the pastors' mindset that this is the day of the saints. Daniel prophesied that they will come a day when the saints, not pastors, of the Lord, would take the Kingdom and reign forevermore.

This is the day where men and women of God will provide training for the body of Christ to move out of their comfort zone and do the work of the ministry. People like what you say but follow what you do. 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but ensamples to the flock."

Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.

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